Version 1.1 Edition date 07 February 2018 ELPAC. English Language Proficiency for Aeronautical Communication ELPAC paper 1 test specifications

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1 Version 1.1 Edition date 07 February 2018 ELPAC English Language Proficiency for Aeronautical Communication ELPAC paper 1 test specifications

ELPAC is developed in cooperation with: ENOVATE is responsible for the technical infrastructure to host and operate the ELPAC test including the provision of technical support to users on request.

2 ELPAC is developed in cooperation with: ENOVATE is responsible for the technical infrastructure to host and operate the ELPAC test including the provision of technical support to users on request. ZHAW is responsible for the English language and linguistic aspects of the ELPAC test including the evaluation of ELPAC test items, test validity, test format and ELPAC examiner training. ELPAC PAPER 1 TEST SPECIFICATIONS V1.1 PAGE 2 OF 9

3 ELPAC ATC Paper 1 Test Specifications General Matters The ELPAC test comprises a listening comprehension paper (referred to as paper 1) and an oral interaction paper (referred to as paper 2). There is also a separate test to assess ICAO level 6 (referred to as paper 3). The specific purpose of paper 1 is described in this document. For a description of the specific purpose of paper 2, please consult document ELPAC ATC PAPER 2 Oral Interaction Test Specifications. General Purpose of the ELPAC Test and of Paper 1 The general purpose of the ELPAC test is to determine whether the test taker meets the minimum ICAO language proficiency requirements for English as it is used in the context of radiotelephony communications between air traffic controllers and pilots, and between air traffic controllers. Furthermore, the ELPAC test has been designed to discriminate between test-taker s level of proficiency at ICAO levels 4 and 5 (and level 6 in a separate test). General Pass Mark for the ELPAC Test The ELPAC test follows the guidelines in ICAO Document Accordingly, in the ELPAC test there is no cumulative score. The test-taker must pass both paper 1 and paper 2. The final score, which is the level the test-taker will have endorsed in their license, is the lowest level they achieve in either paper 1 or paper. Specific Purpose of Paper 1 Paper 1 is the listening comprehension part of the ELPAC test. The test-taker hears 25 audio files in which pilots or controllers use radiotelephony communication to: 1. prepare or provoke an action, by a. requesting approval or clearance, b. giving approval, c. denying approval, d. giving clearances or instructions (atco only), e. denying clearances or instructions, f. request the controller or pilot to do something, g. offer to do something, h. give advice or make suggestions on what to do. ELPAC PAPER 1 TEST SPECIFICATIONS V1.1 PAGE 3 OF 9

4 2. share information, by a. giving information, b. requesting information, c. requesting reasons, purposes or justifications, d. giving reasons, purposes or justifications. 3. Mange the interaction, by a. reading back, b. acknowledging the pilot s or air traffic controller s message, c. checking, confirming, clarifying and correcting. Structure of ELPAC Paper 1 There are six parts in ELPAC paper 1: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 number of audio files: total number of audio files per version of the test: number of questions per audio file: total number of questions in each part total number of questions per version of the test SAQ 1 MCQ 2 SAQ TC 3 SAQ SAQ 1 SAQ: Short Answer Question 2 MCQ: Multiple Choice Question 3 TC: Table Completion ELPAC PAPER 1 TEST SPECIFICATIONS V1.1 PAGE 4 OF 9

5 Description of the Six Parts of Paper 1 Part 1 SAQ list The test-taker writes an answer in alphanumeric format. Occasionally a short word may be required. recognition items are presented on one screen Part 2 MCQ table There will be one or two correct answers out of three options. The maximum number of ticks ( ) in the table will not be specified. read back evaluation and accuracy items are presented on one screen Part 3 SAQ The test-taker answers questions relating to the content of the audio files of communications between a controller and one or two pilots and between two controllers, in unusual and non-routine situations. The questions shall refer to transmissions made by an air traffic controller. comprehension in unusual and non-routine situations Each communication has three questions and these will be presented on a separate screen. ELPAC PAPER 1 TEST SPECIFICATIONS V1.1 PAGE 5 OF 9

6 Part 4 TC The test-taker types the appropriate flight level(s) into the table cells. Not all cells will require an answer and the number of answers required will not be specified. listening for specific information The items for this test part will be presented on one screen. Part 5 SAQ The test-taker answers questions relating to the content of the audio files of communications between a controller and one or two pilots and between two controllers, in unusual and non-routine situations. The questions shall refer to transmissions made by an air traffic controller. comprehension in unusual and non-routine situations (these are longer and more complex transmissions than those used in part 3) Each communication has five questions and these will be presented on a separate screen. Part 6 SAQ The test-taker answers questions relating to the content of the audio files of communications between a controller and one or two pilots and between two controllers, in unusual and non-routine situations. The questions shall refer to transmissions made by an air traffic controller. comprehension and dealing with unusual situations (these are longer and more complex transmissions than found in part 3) Each communication has five questions and these will be presented on a separate screen. ELPAC PAPER 1 TEST SPECIFICATIONS V1.1 PAGE 6 OF 9

7 Description of the Recordings used in the Six Parts of Paper 1 Level 4 proficiency Level 5 proficiency source of input Original audio recordings shall not be used and must be transcribed and re-recorded using different call-signs and airport designations. live recordings, simulator recordings, flight crew reports, incident and accident transcripts type of input monologues, dialogues, phraseology, Plain English, dialogues, plain English, phraseology, formulaic expressions, phraseology, formulaic expressions duration of input 5 second to 2 minutes (approximately) 2 to 2 minutes (approximately) quality of input appropriate background noise shall not be distracting or influence sound quality when appropriate: repetition, redundancy, rewording scripted for recording topics common, concrete and work-related topics, unusual or unexpected situations ELPAC PAPER 1 TEST SPECIFICATIONS V1.1 PAGE 7 OF 9

8 speaker characteristics 1 or 2 voices, occasionally 3 for redundancy speed of delivery at 100 to 130 words a minute 2 to 4 voices speed of delivery at 130 to 170 words a minute native and non-native speakers male and female speakers in those audio files with more than one speaker, the speakers shall all have different accents of English language features concrete delivery web-based, keyboard input test pacing the speed is controlled by the test: test-takers shall not access previously completed parts of the test back button on the browser is not enabled the order of the items is ordained by the test test method TC, SAQ, MCQ, SAQ, the maximum number of words is 4-6 the maximum number of words is 4-6 test versions the shall be a balance of TWR/APP/ENR communications number of items there are 35 items of which there are 25 items 10 target level 3, and 25 target level 4 ELPAC PAPER 1 TEST SPECIFICATIONS V1.1 PAGE 8 OF 9

9 timing preparation time is 15 to 20 seconds, completion time is 5 to 15 seconds, depending on the input required from the testtaker preparation time is 25 seconds per sub-section of 5 items, completion time is 20 seconds at the end of each subsection the test-taker hears every recording once only length of the test ca. 20 minutes, including preparation and completion ca. 20 minutes, including preparation and completion Total length of the test (paper 1 and paper 2): ca. 40 minutes pass mark 70% of the level 3 items, so 7 out of 10 level 3 items and 70% of the level 4 items, so 18 out of 25 level 4 items 70% of the level 3 items, so 7 out of 10 level 3 items and 70% of the level 4 items, so 18 out of 25 level 4 items and 70% of the level 5 items, so 18 out of 25 level 5 items weighting 1 point per item answer key for every part of paper 1, except part 2, an acceptable answer and an unacceptable answer shall be defined to assist the marker ELPAC PAPER 1 TEST SPECIFICATIONS V1.1 PAGE 9 OF 9

Source and Description Category of Practice Level of CI User How to Use Additional Information. Intermediate- Advanced. Beginner- Advanced

Source and Description Category of Practice Level of CI User How to Use Additional Information Randall s ESL Lab: http://www.esllab.com/ Provide practice in listening and comprehending dialogue. Comprehension